Saluki Pride: Lilia Angel-Post finds creative ways to assist students learning to speak English
Lilia Angel-Post, interim assistant director of the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), is extremely hard-working and has a passion to assist international students and her colleagues.
“She is very creative in coming up with effective solutions for issues,” said William Hellriegel, director of CESL. “She succeeds at finding new ways, ongoing, to add value to the experiences of our students in CESL.”
Get to know Lilia Angel-Post
Name: Lilia Angel-Post.
Department and job title: Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), interim assistant director.
Years at SIU Carbondale: four years as an undergraduate, two years as a graduate student, six years as an employee.
Give us the elevator pitch for your job.
CESL has given me the opportunity to serve our program under many different roles. For example, in a typical week, I am able to help applicants who are seeking admission, advise current students, organize student activities with our GAs, communicate with partner organizations and universities abroad, brainstorm future recruitment ideas with our director, create class and final exams schedules for our program, update curricular documents with our teachers, work on activating students’ services with our accountant and much more. In general, I am available every day to help solve problems for the students and the staff who are part of our CESL program.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy working with our students because they come from all over the world. For example, in the spring, we had students from Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Niger, Egypt, Uruguay, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mexico. Also, I love working with our teachers and staff because they are always open to learning about other cultures. It is a pleasure working with a great group of people.
Why did you choose SIU?
I came here as an undergraduate, but I moved away after graduation. My husband, also a Saluki, and I decided to come back because we were looking for a place to settle down – a place that had nature, friendly people and an affordable cost of living. We realized that place was Carbondale. Once we came back, we were both able to find jobs at SIU. I enjoyed my time at SIU as a student and I continue to enjoy my time here as an employee, so I am very happy I chose SIU!
Winter, summer, spring or fall … which one and why?
I love the spring because the mild weather reminds me of my native city – Medellin, Colombia, the eternal spring city. I also love the spring here in the Shawnee Forest because of the blooming flowers. My favorite spring hike is the Rocky Bluff Trail. There are fields of wildflowers everywhere. I always recommend this hike to all of our new students.
I’m happiest when I am …
Relaxing in nature, enjoying a perfect weather day.